István Urbányi has signaled that his time as the coach for the Maldivian national football team may come to an end after the 2026 SAFF Championship.
The SAFF Championship that just kicked off yesterday at Bangladesh is Urbányi's fourth as Maldives' coach. He has previously coached the Maldivian team for SAFF Championships in 2009, 2012 and 2013.
The experienced coach from Hungary who is fulfilling the position of Technical Director at the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) said that this year's SAFF Championship might be his last.
"I have been a part of this work for a very long time. As I have said previously, this is my fourth championship. It may also be my last," said Urbányi.
"I do not think about coaching too much now. Reason being, there are other things that I have to do. When I am a coach, all I can think about is the team and competitions. My agreement is as a Technical Director," said Urbányi to the Maldivian journalists at Bangladesh during the SAFF Championship.
He said that his contract as a Technical Director includes giving instructions and recommendations in finding a coach for the national team.
He also said that he never said he would fully leave his position behind.
"My contract as a Technical Director includes giving instructions and recommendations in finding a coach for the national team. So that there can be opportunities in these two positions (as the national coach and the Technical Director)," spoke Urbányi in detail.
"That is why I said that. However, I said that in the context of this being my fourth SAFF Championship and that sometimes means this may come to an end. It does not mean I am fully leaving."
He said it is also one of his responsibilities to give young coaches opportunities and the chance for them to be further trained.
"That is why Soba (national team Assistant Coach Sobah Mohamed Ibrahim) is with me right now. And having these younger generations of coaches, especially Maldivian coaches, going up in these international competitions is something I really want to see as well," said Urbányi.
Maldives' first match will be against Pakistan on Sunday. Urbányi said the team does not prepare with any specific team in mind. He said that Maldives will be absolutely prepared for any opposing team. The Pakistan game will be played on Sunday at 2:30 pm Maldivian time.
